Ernest Hemingway once described a moment immediately after eating an oyster thusly: “I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to make plans.” Though he was writing from a time and a place far away from Patchogue, Long Island, one could see a similar reaction across the faces of guests who joined Atlas Obscura and Blue Point Brewing Company for a decadent evening of oysters, beer, and exploration on a recent Friday night. One might even describe the experience as a moveable feast....

Together, Atlas Obscura and Blue Point encouraged would-be weekenders to exercise their right to celebrate Summer Fridays by hopping on the LIRR, brown-paper-bagged beers in hand. After arriving at the Patchogue station, guests were whisked away by tour bus to the site of Blue Point’s soon-to-be opened brewing facilities, where they were treated to a private, hard hat tour by the president of Blue Point, Jenna Lally. Those who went on the tour got to taste Blue Point’s new Summer Friday IPA, which had been canned the day previously in anticipation of the event.

From there, the mobile party continued, as guests took a bus ride along Long Island’s South Shore to the Blue Island Oyster Farm. On the ride, they were treated to a “colorful” lecture about the history of talking like a sailor from historian Mark Roberts. At Blue Island, guests got to see a real working oyster hatchery that provides mollusks for some of New York City’s best restaurants. There they sipped beers, slurped oysters, and learned the inner workings of sea farming. They viewed impossibly tiny baby oysters under a microscope, and witnessed the bubbles and burbles of an algae laboratory.

Finally, guests headed to Blue Point’s original brewing location for a indulgent lobster dinner. Guests feasted, banquet style, and then made their way to the tap room where they continued imbibing. Aerial acts, burlesque performers, and a live band playing sea shanties transformed the parking lot into a oceanic carnival. After a relaxing Summer Friday with Blue Point and Atlas Obscura, guests returned to the LIRR, full, happy, and ready to make plans for their next adventure.

Atlas Obscura leads the way through Penn Station.
Atlas Obscura leads the way through Penn Station. James Sprankle
Boarding the LIRR at Penn Station, beers in hand.
Boarding the LIRR at Penn Station, beers in hand. James Sprankle
Visitors tour Blue Point Brewing Company's massive new facilities.
Visitors tour Blue Point Brewing Company’s massive new facilities. James Sprankle
A guest peers down for a bird's eye view of the facilities.
A guest peers down for a bird’s eye view of the facilities. James Sprankle
Guests revel on the shuttle to Blue Island oyster hatchery.
Guests revel on the shuttle to Blue Island oyster hatchery. James Sprankle

Attendees learn about oyster breeding at Blue Island oyster hatchery.
Attendees learn about oyster breeding at Blue Island oyster hatchery. James Sprankle

Visitors explore the oyster hatchery.
Visitors explore the oyster hatchery. James Sprankle

A preview of dinner's delights.
A preview of dinner’s delights. James Sprankle
Slurping up the area's famous oysters.
Slurping up the area’s famous oysters. James Sprankle
Guests dine on an ocean's feast.
Guests dine on an ocean’s feast. James Sprankle
An aerialist entertains guests with a sea-themed performance.
An aerialist entertains guests with a sea-themed performance. James Sprankle

Multi-talented performer Erica Mancini plays the accordion while spinning in the air.
Multi-talented performer Erica Mancini plays the accordion while spinning in the air. James Sprankle

A performer peers up at the Long Island night sky.
A performer peers up at the Long Island night sky. James Sprankle